I was so eager to start cloth diapering my son a year and a ago. I purchased my pocket diapers and dove right in with washing, drying, and stuffing the cloth diapers. I loved it because it was saving me so much money. I quickly found a problem. I repeatedly found used, washed, and falling apart disposable wipes entangled with my washed diapers. Yes, I switched to cloth diapers, but the concept of cloth wipes somehow did not enter my thought life. I eagerly stopped using disposable diapers, but kept using disposable wipes.

With every diaper change I had to pick through the mess to retrieve the wipes and properly dispose of them. Unfortunately many went through my wash. I have a front loading machine and do you know how gross it is to have to clean out the gasket? Having still soiled, used, nasty disposable wipes in my washer was not part of the enjoyment of cloth diapering.

I had heard of these cloth wipes, but had not attempted it. I started hearing rumors of people making their own disposable wipes and a beautiful light bulb went off inside my head. If they make disposable wipes why not make cloth wipes. How I had used disposables for so many months baffled me. Seriously, I am putting poo diapers in my wash and not using cloth wipes. What is wrong with me I thought? I started researching what others used for cloth wipes. I had heard of cutting up used receiving blankets. I tried that but did not care for the way the material bunched up and it was a little difficult to easily open the wipe. I heard about dry cloth wipes with the spray bottle filled with a cleaning solution. That seemed like too many steps and I had a very active and squirmy toddler. Having him sit still long enough to spray solution on a wipe was not an option for me.

I did find a package of four baby wash cloths at Wal-Mart for under a dollar. I bought several packages. Folded in half they fit perfectly in my disposable wipe container (I guess it came in handy after all) I mixed up a solution of one tablespoon olive oil, one tablespoon baby wash, a few drops of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water. I mixed it all together and poured it over my washcloths. It worked like a charm. Now when I wiped a dirty bum I could toss everything into the diaper pail and not dig through the nastiness to retrieve trash. I even use the handy disposable travel wipe containers and carry my cloth wipes with me.

I don’t know why it was so easy for me to make the switch to cloth diapers but drag my feet on cloth wipes. I feel so liberated now. I don’t have to run to the store for diapers or wipes. Go ahead give it a try. Cloth wipes will set you free.

Comments

Date 10/25/2013

One Southern Girl

I love cloth wipes. They're so handy for soo many thing! Our little guy loves to take his clean ones and carry them in his pocket for a handkerchief!

Date 1/9/2014

Mary S.

Cloth wipes are so awesome! I found some baby washcloths on clearance at Wal-Mart, I've bought some Thirsties Fab Wipes (love them!) and made my own. They are so great to use with cloth diapers - definitely an essential!